Bogey-free Jennifer Kupcho among early 5-way tie in Thailand

PATTAYA (Thailand) — Jennifer Kupcho, a US golfer, shot bogey-free 7 under 65 to share the lead with four other golfers following the opening round of LPGA Thailand.

It was not surprising that the Pattaya Old Course had a crowded leaderboard. Over the past ten years, the average winning score has been 21 under par.

Kupcho’s round was highlighted at Siam Country Club by a birdie and birdie finishes, as well as an eagle on Siam Country Club’s par-5 10th hole.

She said that she hit a good drive and had a short club in. It’s still a hybrid, but it’s a very good club. It hit just short the green and rolled up close to a tap.

She was joined by 2014 champion Anna Nordqvist from Sweden, six-time LPGA Tour winner Nasa Hartaoka of Japan and Jaravee Boonchant, a local hope and tour rookie, and Lin Xiyu, China’s last year’s runner up.

Nordqvist, a three-time major winner, birdied her 10th hole and finished with eight holes to her name, against one bogey on the 4.

Hataoka missed the 13th, but she finished her round with four consecutive birdies.

Boonchant, who was awarded her Q-school tour card last December, started on the 10th hole and birdied her second two holes. After the former world No. In 2021, Ariya Jutanugarn was the winner.

Boonchant described her day as “amazing”

Lin started on Lin’s back nine and birdied six of her 65 holes. She opened with a 64. Last year, she reeled off 66s and lost to Nanna Koerstz-Madsen from Denmark on additional holes. Koerstz Madsen began her title defense at 1 over.

World No. 1 Lydia Ko from New Zealand, who was leading 26 out of the top 30, had a round of 68 that was bogey-free. She has won three of the four previous starts.